LINQ query syntax in C Sharp (C#)

Introduction

LINQ query syntax helps you easily find and work with data inside collections like lists or arrays. It looks like writing simple questions to get the data you want.

When you want to select specific items from a list based on a condition.

When you need to sort data in ascending or descending order.

When you want to group items by a shared property.

When you want to join two collections based on matching keys.

When you want to transform data from one form to another.

Syntax

C Sharp (C#)

var result = from item in collection
             where condition
             orderby item.Property
             select item;

from starts the query and picks each item from the collection.

where filters items by a condition (optional).

Examples

Selects even numbers from the list.

C Sharp (C#)

var evens = from num in numbers
            where num % 2 == 0
            select num;

Sorts names alphabetically.

C Sharp (C#)

var sortedNames = from name in names
                  orderby name
                  select name;

Groups words by their length.

C Sharp (C#)

var grouped = from word in words
              group word by word.Length;

Sample Program

This program selects fruits with names 5 letters or shorter, sorts them alphabetically, and prints each one.

C Sharp (C#)

using System;
using System.Linq;

class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        string[] fruits = { "apple", "banana", "cherry", "date", "fig", "grape" };

        var shortFruits = from fruit in fruits
                          where fruit.Length <= 5
                          orderby fruit
                          select fruit;

        foreach (var fruit in shortFruits)
        {
            Console.WriteLine(fruit);
        }
    }
}

Important Notes

You can skip where if you want all items.

Use orderby to sort results; add descending for reverse order.

LINQ query syntax is easy to read and write, especially for beginners.

Summary

LINQ query syntax lets you ask questions about collections in a clear way.

You can filter, sort, group, and select data easily.

It reads like simple English sentences, making code easier to understand.